1983–84 Chelsea F.C. season

Manager John Neal revamped his squad after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Third Division the previous season. New signings included goalkeeper Eddie Niedzwiecki, centre-back Joe McLaughlin, midfielder Nigel Spackman, winger Pat Nevin, and striker Kerry Dixon.

Neal also added experience in the form of veteran utility player John Hollins, who rejoined the club on a free transfer from Arsenal. Hollins had made 473 league appearances for Chelsea between 1963 and 1975 before moving to Queens Park Rangers. He retired as a player at the end of the 1983-84 season but stayed on as a coach and eventually succeeded Neal as manager in 1985.

Chelsea opened the season with a resounding 5–0 home win over Derby County. Dixon scored twice and followed up with the winner in a midweek Milk Cup tie at Gillingham, both goals in victory at Brighton and four in the return leg against Gillingham. He continued to score prolifically, ending the season as the Second Division's leading scorer with 28 goals, 34 in all competitions.

By the end of November, Chelsea lay in 2nd place behind Sheffield Wednesday, having lost only one of their opening 17 league matches - 2–1 at Hillsborough. After losing twice at home in December and at Middlesbrough in the first match of the New Year, they closed out the season with a 17 match unbeaten run. This included a remarkable draw at Cardiff in which Chelsea scored three times in the last six minutes after trailing 3–0 at half-time. Promotion was sealed by a 5–0 win over Leeds at the end of April.

With two matches of the season remaining, Chelsea trailed Sheffield Wednesday by two points, albeit with a significantly better goal difference. When Wednesday were held to a goalless draw by Manchester City in their penultimate fixture, Chelsea took advantage by beating Barnsley 3–1 to move into pole position and clinched the title with a 1–0 win at Grimsby.

• Substitute appearances in parentheses.

More information Pos., Name ...

Pos.	Name	League		League Cup		FA Cup		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
GK	Steve Francis	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
GK	Eddie Niedzwiecki	42	0	5	0	1	0	48	0
DF	Micky Droy	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
DF	Keith Dublin	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
DF	John Hollins	29	1	5	0	1	0	34	1
DF	Chris Hutchings	4	1	1	0	0	0	5	1
DF	Joey Jones	34	1	4	0	1	0	39	1
DF	Joe McLaughlin	41	0	5	0	1	0	47	0
DF	Colin Pates	42	0	5	0	1	0	48	0
MF	John Bumstead	30(1)	7	4	0	0	0	34(1)	7
MF	Alan Hudson	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MF	Dale Jasper	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	0
MF	Keith Jones	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
MF	Colin Lee	25(8)	3	4(1)	0	0	0	29(9)	3
MF	Tony McAndrew	13	4	0	0	1	0	14	4
MF	Nigel Spackman	40	3	5	0	1	0	46	3
MF	Mickey Thomas	17	4	0	0	0	0	17	4
FW	Paul Canoville	17(3)	6	4	1	1	0	22(3)	7
FW	Kerry Dixon	42	28	5	6	1	0	48	34
FW	Derek Johnstone	0(2)	0	0	0	0	0	0(2)	0
FW	Pat Nevin	38	14	3(1)	0	1	0	42(1)	14
FW	Peter Rhoades-Brown	6	1	1	0	0	0	7	1
FW	Duncan Shearer	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
FW	David Speedie	32(5)	13	2(1)	0	1	0	35(6)	13
FW	Clive Walker	6	3	2	1	0	0	8	4

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